Distributor switch



June 30, 1942. w. LEATHERS DISTRIBUTOR SWITCH Filed Aug. 2, 1940 Patented June 30, 1942 DISTRIBUTOR SWITCH Ward Leathers, BrooklynfN. Y., assignor, by mesne assignments, to International. Business Machines Corporation Application August 2, 1940, Serial No. 349,919

4 Claims. (01. 200-152 My invention pertains to electric meters, and more particularly to the means whereby the consumed current may be recorded on a counting or cyclometer mechanism.

Heretofore, both barrel and disc type step-bystep counters have been applied to different types of meters but always these devices have created a measure of frictional resistance to the free rotation of the meter armature-disc which has resulted in registering slightly less current than actually consumed. This represents a loss in actual dollars and cents to the public utility corporation distributing electric current and billing to consumer on the basis of such meter reading.

Step-by-step or cyclometer mechanisms require more energy for their actuation than the older type of rotating disc indicators. The disc indicators, however, did not show full digit fig ures at the several positions of units, tens, hundreds, thousands. They generally turned two discs clockwise and two other discs counter-clockwise and were practically unreadable to the average consumer. Cyclometer registers, as heretofore applied to electric meters, have given stepby-step figures for the digits representing tens, hundreds, thousands but units figures have invariably been turned progressively. The reason for this lies in the fact that such cyclometer registers when applied to electric meters, and driven by the armature-disc of the meter, must be built to function with the smallest mechanical effort. Although such [cyclometer registers have been built to-operate with extremely small. effort they still furnish a measurable resistance to the free indication of the total consumed current.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to actuate the indices of a cyclometer mechanism from an auxiliary power source thus 'removing all necessity for the performance of work by the measuring mechanism of the meter. Toward this end, the invention contemplates the provision of a switch of this character which is of the liquid contact type and which, by a simple continuous rotary motion; and without axial tilting thereof, will cause the liquid body to shift axially relative to the axis of rotation alternately in opposite directions to periodically and alternately close separate circuits utilized in effecting actuation of the cyclometer device. The improved switch, above referred to, while designed primarily for use in effecting actuation of a cyclometer device, is capable of other uses and, if desired, the same may be employed as a discircuits regardless of the nature of the circuits or of the use to which they may be put. The provision of a switch of the character set forth above which is extremely simple in its construction; one which is emcient in its operation; one

whichris comprised of no relatively moving rigid parts and which therefore is unlikely to get out of order; one which may be manufactured at a low cost; and one which otherwise is well adapt ed to perform the services required of it, are

further desiderata that have been borne in mind in the production and development of the present invention. X

A further object of the invention is to reduce the actual work-eifort on the part of the metering mechanism to a minimum.

Another object is to provide a novel form of distributor switch for periodically closing various electric circuits utilized in connection with the present invention. I

In order to make my invention clear and understandable, I have prepared the following speciflcation, to which I have appended a drawing, of which:

Figure 1 is a perspective, diagrammatic arrangement of a cyclometer-indicator, electric-' contacts, and an auxiliary cyclometer-drive, constructed and assembled according to the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the contacting mechanism.-

- Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of a meter embodying my invention.

An armature-disc I of an electric meter 2' is normally carried on a vertical shaft 3' having integral with it a gear 2 meshing with a larger gear 3; The gears 2 and 3 in some makes of meters are worm and worm-gear instead of the spur and pinion shown. Further speed reduction is obtained from the shaft of the'gear 3 by means of a worm 4- and worm-gear 5, or other suitable reduction gear. The gear 5 is mounted on a shaft 6 carried in suitable bearings I and 8. The gear 5 also carries structuredto it the contacting mechanism which will presently be made clear. The spur gear 3 is supported on a shaft III which also bears the worm 4. This shaft. is split between the worm-and the gear and joined by a sleeve or union ll whereby electrical insulation is eflfected between the gear 3 and the worm l. The worm end of the shaft III is supported in an electrically insulated bearing I! to which one line it of a supply current is joined. The bearings for the shaftt, which carries the tributorswitch for alternately-closing different contactingmechanism'to be described, are also electrically insulated in similar manner to that of the bearing l5 of shaft l0. These bearings are also provided respectively with electrical conductors I1 and 8. Suitable current from a source 20, in the case of an electric meter consisting of the current supply lines, is supplied through the conductor l6, the bearing IS, the worm 4, the gear 5, the distributing mechanism above referred to, through shaft 6, the insulated bearing 1, the conductor H to the coil of an electro magnet 23, thence by a conductor to a pair of spring contacts 26, and a common return line 28. When the current is diverted through the other insulated bearing, 8, of the shaft 6 it is led by the conductor l8 to the coil of an electro-magnet thence by a conductor 3| to a' pair of contacts- 32, and the common return line 28. The coil 23, when actuated, by means of an armature journaled at 36 turns a recording cyclometer 31 to register one numeral by means of a pawl-andratchet 38. Also, by means of a lever 46 having a conventional insulator 4| it breaks its own current at the contacts 26 and establishes contact at 32, in the supply line to the coil 30. The electromagnet 30, when actuated, by means of an armature journaled at 46 raises a latch .41 designed for engagement with a latch mechanism 48 joined to the armature 35 of the coil 23. The circuit through the contacts 26 is normally established while that at 32 is normally broken when the latch mechanism 41-48 is disengaged; and vice versa, the circuit through the contacts 32 is established and that through the contacts 26 is broken when the latch 41-48 is engaged.

The contacting mechanism above referred to comprises a mercury switch, generally characterized by the numeral 50, of novel form disposed coaxially with and adapted to rotate with the shaft 6. The switch consists of two glass or porcelain beads 5|-52 having irregular-shaped generally conical or tapering bores 53 extending longitudinally therethrough. The beads are similar in shape one with the other but are so disposed that the irregular tapered bores are substantially aligned to provide in effect a single hollow tubular member. The beads 5| and 52 are joined together by a ring of metal spun around annular bosses. The outside end of head 5| is closed with a metal cap 55 spun to it in similar manner and joined coaxially with the shaft 6" (a portion of the shaft 6), which shaft also supports the gear 5 in an insulated manner as at 56. The bead 52 is similarly closed at its outside end with a metal cap 60 which is coaxially joined to the shaft 6' (also a portion of the shaft 6). A pool of mercury 6| within the beads provides electric contact between ring 54 and cap 55 or cap 60 as the switch is rotated during a portion of half a rotation, the electric conduction being between the ring 54 and one cap and during a corresponding portion the other half rotation conduction is between the ring 54 and the other cap. An insulated conductor 62 is provided between the center ring 54 and the metal gear 5. The bores 53 in the beads are of such form that the pool of mercury 6| creeps from end to end of the switch 56 to the other making alternate contacts between center ring and caps without at any time electrically joining the two end caps together.

Toward this end the tapered bores 53 are provided with diametrically opposed cut-away or offset portions t and t respectively and each of these cut-away or offset portions exists by virtue of a shallow recess or cut-away portion formed in the wall of its respective bore.

Each of the re- 7 cessed portions t and t' terminates adjacent its respective cap member 55 or 60 in a relatively deep well, which wells are designated at w and 10' respectively. It will be seen from the above described arrangement of the bores 53, that upon rotation of the unit about a horizontal axis, mercury contained within the unit will flow from one well to the other and vice versa. Such flow of the mercury is occasionedpartly because of the peculiar shape of the bores 53 and partly because of the phenomenon of molecular adhesion whereby the entire mass of mercury tends to remain intact, it being drawn from side to side by the alternate flowing of the fluid into the deep well portions w and w. While this alternate flow of the mercury may be to a certain extent facilitated by the peculiar slope of the walls of the bores 53, travel of the mercury fluid would occur even if the walls of the bore were truly cylindrical, providing, of course, that the capacity of each well w or w was sufliciently great asto withdraw the mercury out of contact with the remote end cap 55 or 60.

The mechanism operates as follows: When the meter has turned the gear 5 until the mercury 6| makes contact between 54 and 60 current through the conductor l1 actuates the coil 23 which instantly breaks its own circuit at 26. When performing such act it also records on the cyclometer 31 and latches its armature in that actuated position at 41-48. The current therefore for the coil 23 is only momentary. When the gear 5 and thereby the switch 58 has rotated through approximately the mercury pool 6| makes contact between the ring 54 and the cap 55 actuating the coil 30 which releases the latch 41-48 thereby breaking its own circuit at 32 which is also only momentary. Thus the armature 35 with its arm 40 is then returned to its starting position by the spring 65. This interlocking double-coil operation is necessary to insure the registration of one kw. (or other unit of commodity) for each revolution of the metering gear. 5 only. To illustrate-if the locking gear 36, 41, 48, 32 were absent and current to meter were interrupted, when service were reestablished coil 23 would record a kw. not consumed.

Figure 3 shows in diagrammatic form the location of this metering mechanism in a watthour meter.

While the embodiment in my invention herewith described has set forth the meter registering armature of an electric meter as the primary objective, it is important to note that where the initial source of actuation is in a gas, water or steam meter the gear reduction elements are devised to deliver to the gear 5 one revolution for each unit of consumed commodity. Thus, where an application of this invention is made to other than electric meters a local source of electric current must be provided for its actuation. However, it will then record units of any desired commodity.

What is claimed is:

1. A liquid operated rotary distributor switch comprising a hollow tubular member closed at both ends and provided with an internal bore, means for mounting said member for rotation about its longitudinal axis, means for rotating the member, a body of conducting liquid disposed in said bore, a contact ring extending around the member substantially medially thereof and exposed to the liquid interiorly of the member, a contact member adjacent each end of the member and exposed to the liquid interiorly of the member, the walls of said bore adjacent opposite ends thereof being formed with offset portions internally of the member and adjacent each contact member, said ofiset portions being oppositely disposed and adapted to be alternately filled by a portion of the liquid upon rotation of the bore, the capacity of the void and the quantity of liquid contained in said body being suflicient to cause the body to alternately span the distance between the medial contact ring and alternate contact members upon rotation of the member.

2. A liquid operated rotary distributor switch comprising a hollow tubular member closed at both ends and having a bore tapering outwardly from each end toward the center thereof, means for mounting said member for rotation about its longitudinal axis, means for rotating the member, a body of conducting liquid disposed in the bore of said member, a contact ring extending around the member substantially medially thereof and exposed to the liquid interiorly of the member, a contact member adjacent each end of the member and exposed to the liquid interiorly of the member, the walls of said bore adjacent opposite ends thereof being formed with offset, portions internally of the member adjacent each contact member, said offset portions being adapted to be alternately filled by a portion of the liquid upon rotation of the bore, the capacity of the void and the quantity of liquid contained in said body being sufficient to cause the body to alternately span the distance between the medial contact ring and alternate contact members upon. rotation of the member, said ofiset portions being substantially oppositely disposed on the inner wall of the member.

3. In a liquid operated distributor switch, a pair of tubular insulating members arranged in substantial horizontal alignment in end-to-end relationship and slightly spaced from each other,

a metal band rigidly connecting the adjacent ends of the members and closing the space existing between the members and constituting a contact element, a metal cap closing the remote outer end of each member and constituting a contact element, a body of mercury in the bore provided by said members, the inner wall of each member being inclined inwardly and downwardly throughout a truncated conical region whereby the mercury normally collects in the vicinity of the adjacent ends of the members and is in electrical contact with said metal band, there being cut-away portions in the wall of each member internally thereof in the vicinity of the respective caps adapted to be alternately displaced by a portion of the body of mercury upon rotation of the members, and means for rotating the members about a horizontal axis, the volume of each cut-away portion and the volume of mercury being such that gravitational egress of the mercury from either cut-away portion will raise the level of the main body of mercury in the bore and cause the same to flow into the other cut-away portion.

4. In a distributor switch of the character described, a rotary tubular member having-an internal bore provided with oppositely disposed offset portions in the wall thereof at opposite ends of the member, a movable conductive body disposed in the bore, a contact member exposed to the movable body interiorly of the member adjacent each oifset portion, an additional contact member also exposed to the conductive body interiorly of the member in the medial regions thereof, said conductive body being adapted to enter said offset portions alternately to span the distance between said additional contact and said other contacts and effect electrical contact therebetween.

WARD LEATHERS. 

